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The Fisher King
The Fisher King
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The Fisher King

The Fisher King

1991
Romance, Drama
2h 17m
Terry Gilliam's romantic parable The Fisher King delves deep into the nature of love and loss, of guilt and redemption, of character and tragedy. (Tri-Star)

The Fisher King

1991
Romance, Drama
2h 17m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 60.32% from 3194 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(3208)
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Rated 12 Aug 2014
80
77th
So that's what Robin Williams looks like naked.
Rated 01 Feb 2008
92
97th
Pay attention Michael Jeter's brilliant supporting role!
Rated 14 Aug 2014
80
80th
Films without villains and films that do not force conflict upon their characters really resonate with me. Existence brings its own demons and we must confront them despite constant battles that rage internally. The acting in the Fisher King is so visceral that the entire film exudes that eternal struggle. Those who see this as merely a romantic drama are missing so much.
Rated 23 Aug 2009
90
97th
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
68th
Maddeningly moving stuff.
Rated 28 Aug 2014
75
37th
The film we can describe as "Gilliam-lite". It has some memorable characters, busy sets and off-beat camera angles, but really never gets going. The story is too simplistic - reminiscent of mainstream moral romcoms - and doesn't have a resolution. The elements of fantasy don't tie in particularly well and you just end up pitying most of the characters. Bridges, Williams, Ruehl et al are all good enough... it just feels like Gilliam phoned this one in or at least gave up at a certain point.
Rated 10 Nov 2012
60
19th
There are three really good things about this movie: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams and Michael Jeter. Had the movie been rounded out with a sub-par cast I believe it would have been absolute crap. As Gilliam is the director, some wackiness was to be expected, but it seemed really out of place and the movie seemed confused by itself at times, plus the story wasn't nearly as engaging as it tried to be. Overall, great acting by the leads, but that's about the only good thing here.
Rated 11 Aug 2012
3
32nd
A very schmaltzy premise, no doubt, and less eccentric than you might think; the juxtaposition of Robin Williams' insufferable antics does little to overcome the blandness of its storybook, melodramatic core.
Rated 19 Mar 2012
3
45th
A carnival of eccentric characters, distorted perspectives, cluttered and cartoonish visuals. It's always fun to watch Gilliam's absurd direction, it's just too bad that this film ultimately ends up being a fairy tale in the style of Hollywood formula that the director so often rails against.
Rated 23 May 2010
66
14th
No not even Terry Gilliam's touch can save this movie that's founded on a shitty script and fleshed out with a mediocre cast. Oh and it certainly doesn't help that it's over two hours long.
Rated 13 Jun 2009
70
70th
Long and strange movie with 2 great actors. The story was weird and sometimes I had problems to understand what was it all about. Nevertheless Williams and Bridges were great in their performances. Oh yes the scenes in the parc were very funny and awesome.
Rated 08 Aug 2007
20
2nd
A really confused movie that starts out with a great dramatic touch but then tells itself it needs to be wacky to succeed. Gilliam's claustrophobic filmmaking doesn't help the situation.
Rated 24 Jul 2007
54
29th
This film had the potential to be great but many blunders in its construction, direction, and production prevent it. It is both a startling pleasure to watch, especially for the first hour or so, and an irritation to endure. It is too long, often devolves into melodrama and slapstick, and characters continuously state the obvious instead of just shutting up.
Rated 06 May 2024
70
80th
it touches on some heavy stuff, like mental illness and homelessness, but it in a true hollywood fashion, it doesn't dwell too much on them. if this kind of wide eyed naiveté draws your ire, this film's not for you. but if you're there for the good times vibe and heartwarming clichés of 90s, this one's your huckleberry.
Rated 17 Aug 2023
89
91st
For a long time I have had this movie on my radar and never gotten to it, and having seen it I wonder what I've been waiting for. It's not the movie I had always thought it was. Bridges and Williams are both great. The interpersonal drama aspects are very good, but where it really shines is in the first and last act with a surreal atmosphere and numerous interesting shooting techniques to really make the viewer feel as off balance as the characters. Great stuff.
Rated 11 Aug 2023
60
35th
I never quite connect with Gilliam films, so I wasn't really expecting to get much out of this. But if you had told me Bridges and Williams would be upstaged by Ruehl and Plummer, I'm not sure I would have believed it. It's moving; I just wonder how long I'll be able to keep all the ephemeral images together without being able to tie them to a stronger plot.
Rated 03 May 2022
60
26th
Callershooting+3years+Rwifeavictim+menwomen/goddeviltogetherworkitout+lolRnakedinpark+GOINGTOWASTERIGHTBEFOREMYEYESupontablelool+gettodatecrush+thinkbanged-saysstalkedandshelikesitlool+ptsd/wantedtobeattacked/coma+Jbackonhisbs+stealsgrailforhim-fixes
Rated 02 Nov 2020
70
42nd
I like Jeff Bridges. I'm not much of a Robin Williams fan, and man does he exhaust me in this film. I think more generally, it doesn't feel like a particularly suitable project for Terry Gilliam. The rather extreme approach he takes with it, not just stylistic choices like the garish red knight, but the pitched-to-the rafters performances of Mercedes Ruel and Amanda Plummer just exhaust my ability to care about what's happening on screen.
Rated 18 Sep 2020
65
24th
I suppose you shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but here's an example of Robin Williams bringing a film down. During his career high, he invades this comedy film from a respected director and with an already great central performance from Bridges, but Williams' now out-dated and thoroughly childish extremities really irritate -- but then again, for a film too whimsical and too fluffy, he sometimes fits right in. Can be an enjoyable watch otherwise, like Gilliam's better films before and after.
Rated 11 Jul 2020
9
87th
I liked it more when I was young and full of whimsy. Now I just worry if I'll lose my crappy job or have a place to live.
Rated 30 Sep 2019
64
51st
Despite some strong performances, I didn't particularly enjoy The Fisher King. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood or it has become dated (in 2019), but none of the drama resonated with me. This may be because the characters were all so stereotypically of New York, or that I simply find Gilliam's direction too cluttered (both visually and aurally). There are some nice moments, but overall I found the film too long and too dull to sustain my attention. Also, I initially though Bridges was Val Kilmer.
Rated 05 Jul 2019
60
43rd
It's an odd film, but a whole lot more subtle than Gilliam's other work, which I kind of enjoyed. It had some visual flare without being over-the-top. Robin Williams was good, even if he wasn't really doing anything I hadn't seen before, and it was another reminder of what a tragic loss his death was. It was a bit too long, and it didn't hold my attention throughout, but it was alright. Not one of Gilliam's best, but still probably worth watching.
Rated 05 Feb 2019
90
94th
Before there was Lebowski, there was Jack. OK, and a whole bunch of other roles that don't get talked about enough. Anyway, the word underrated gets thrown around a lot, but I truly don't understand why it didn't get the ratings (I feel) it deserved. Great direction, great cast, great story, beautifully shot, and one of the coolest openings in a movie ever culminating in a mind-blown "fuck"...
Rated 07 Aug 2018
80
81st
final bölümüyle sanki o ana kadarki -yorucu sekanslarında bile kaybolmayan- hissiyat biraz sarpa sarıyor, film fazla sıradanlaşıyor gibi geliyor ama gilliam'ın tuhaf büyüsü hala işleyişte oluyor. başta jack'in hikaye eğrisi olmak üzere senaryoda ciddi boşluklar, problemli durumlar var ama gilliam'ın da durdurulamaz bir etkisi var. bridges ve williams ise apayrı başlıklar.
Rated 18 Jul 2018
73
41st
Interesting in parts. Ultimately cheesy. Great depictions of hospitals as creepy. Nice to see Robin Williams naked. Trash Hollywood romance ending. Not a big fan of movies where stalking gets a character a girlfriend. Did not need to be 2.5 hours long.
Rated 18 May 2018
70
30th
Perhaps Gilliam's bleakest film, but it just doesn't hold together at all and Robin Williams never works.
Rated 09 Apr 2018
82
71st
A wonderful film, and one of the best performances from Robin Williams.
Rated 30 Apr 2017
73
78th
(Viewed on 12/08/15): While it's Gilliam's most accessible film, The Fisher King nonetheless works in his usual obsessions and draws on the Arthurian legend to tell a fairly conventional story of the transformative effects of unlikely friendships that displays a firm belief in the miraculous. Williams rightly earned an oscar nomination for his role as a delusional bum on a quest for the Holy Grail, while Bridges effectively plays against type as a depressed yuppie seeking redemption.
Rated 21 Apr 2016
8
70th
clean shaven Jeff Bridges reminded me of Dolph Ziggler. all through the movie I was trying to figure out how he could use this but I couldn't picture him in a more laid back gimmick
Rated 04 Mar 2016
80
94th
Quite good with superb performances from Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges. Some good laughs too. Drags on too long though, with some scenes unnecessarily prolonged. /c
Rated 27 Feb 2016
79
81st
r.i.p.
Rated 18 Dec 2015
42
20th
Watchable but not relatable. Am i supposed to feel for Jeff's character?
Rated 21 Sep 2015
4
57th
One of Robin Williams best performances for sure. Heartfelt and weird.
Rated 11 Aug 2015
18
51st
If being crazy means I get to hang out with Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges sign me up.
Rated 19 Sep 2014
77
78th
One of those Gilliam movies where every off-the-wall decision he made during production seemed to work in the final cut. There's a couple of lovely sequences; like when Parry first introduces us to Lydia, or Parry's altercations with the Red Knight. Accomplished lead performances, and an often slight and clever script help this to be one of the best (and most underrated) in Gilliam's back catalogue, even if things do get a little unfocused in the last third.
Rated 30 Aug 2014
40
24th
This movie didn't work for me. The plot dragged most of the time and was not very believable. Some of the acting was good. I've always like Robin's sense of humor, but was not the best performance by Jeff.
Rated 12 Aug 2014
85
67th
This as mad as Robin and Jeff can get. Robin died yesterday.
Rated 12 Aug 2014
75
26th
One of the better Terry Gilliam movies I've seen. The moments where he goes for his typical weirdness were a little annoying, but this one is mostly played straight, and is all the better for it. Robin Williams is excellent.
Rated 09 Aug 2014
75
74th
Not one of Gilliam's strongest films relatively speaking but still good. It has that sort of bizarre comical quality and weird angled cinematography his work is known for. I thought the performances from everyone were wonderful. I won't turn this into a review where I actually liked the movie but list everything I didn't like about it. So we'll leave it at that.
Rated 04 May 2014
85
76th
Bridges, Williams and Gilliam. That's what drew me to this film, and I was not disappointed. Williams is his usual manic self, but it's given a poignancy by the framing of his role as a broken man wrought with tragedy. Bridges plays an excellent straight man to the madness, whilst also struggling with his own mental demons. A lot more grounded in reality than Gilliam's other works (maybe because he didn't write it) his influence is palpable and the whole film is beautifully hilarious and trag
Rated 03 May 2014
3
73rd
An over-long swipe at yuppie greed and selfishness with gilliam's wonky angles and low-tech fantasy effects. Started really strong but lost me as it became more a fairytale of the hollywood type. A strange, mostly enjoyable mess with some really good casting.
Rated 26 Apr 2014
85
77th
A great mix between a Gilliam fantasy caper and something a lot more realistic, down-to-earth, and very romantic in a Hollywood way. And a lot of Robin Williams.
Rated 14 Jan 2014
70
20th
The film is strong and optimistic. It is unusual in many things, but beside special figures, there are some simplifications which make it feel like a fairy tale. And is too dark for one. So, unkindly stepping between the genres like this lowers the summary rating.
Rated 21 Oct 2013
80
64th
79.500
Rated 14 Oct 2013
75
64th
It's so focused on a specific story and moment yet so epic in its range of emotions and visual treatment.
Rated 06 May 2013
88
37th
1126: good job. a story of a lunatic who change to many peoples with his good mood of insanity!
Rated 16 Jun 2012
97
93rd
Good
Rated 10 Mar 2012
79
79th
A good dramedy by Gilliam. I went into the film thinking it would be more drama, but I realized that with the scope of the events that happened to Williams that the comedy was pretty necessary. Williams is very good in his comedic/tragic role, but no one else really stood out. The different characters in the film with their flaws make the film pretty funny.
Rated 28 Feb 2012
80
88th
This movie is sooo darn magical, it's unbelievable! What awesome acting, what awesome camerawork and some awesome scenes (LOVED the dancing scene with robin williams following the girl). "Loss, love, guilt and redemption" covers the story, but it's acted out so perfectly.. the scenes with the Red Knight were just magical and eery.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
88
94th
This film is a gem, another great work of Terry Gilliam. Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams work really well together. This movie is part drama, part comedy and a little bit of fantasy thrown in. I highly recommend this film.
Rated 01 Oct 2011
72
25th
I think I was expecting a little more Red Knight and a little less everything else from a Gilliam film, but even with this near-mainstream sense I liked much of this. My biggest criticism has to be the... entire theme of the film. I didn't care for the grail business or any of the movie magic tearjerker bull, and that's a shame because I enjoyed everything around that. Gilliam's touches work well, both dark and funny, but then he strives for melodrama and it doesn't suit him at all.
Rated 06 Sep 2011
82
80th
I've never been very fond of Gilliam's personal style, but the story and the acting is just so good that it totally makes up for it.
Rated 05 Aug 2011
85
76th
Two great actors.
Rated 30 Jun 2011
75
61st
This movie works solely on the great performances by the leads, Williams and bridges. the story is , concourse, wacky ( expect nothing less from mr Gilliam) but the 2 main chars make it come alive on screen and what we get is an entertaining watch because of good pacing and interesting/good character development. Scripting/camera/production all standard 90's mid budget movie, but what makes this movie special is the acting. Worth a watch!
Rated 27 Jun 2011
96
97th
hermosa peli, te deja pensando.
Rated 03 May 2011
50
24th
Maybe I need to watch it again judging by how highly you all rate it.
Rated 01 Mar 2011
62
25th
A promise that went up in smoke...
Rated 25 Feb 2011
80
90th
just a tiny, tiny little too clichéd in the end. otherwise it is truly brilliant storytelling with very palpable characters and staging. i think this is robin williams' prime role, never seen him better. and jeff bridges is beyond doubt anyhow. combined with terry gilliams' lust for exploration into the dark, twisted abysses of humanity, this turned out to be another one of his victories.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
90
88th
Terry Giliam tones it down, allowing the performances to shine, but he still brings it home in this powerful, touching, creative drama.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
80
66th
79.750
Rated 31 Dec 2010
90
42nd
Robin Williams blows me away in this film -- fantastic cast, highly unique storyline and incredibly emotionally in-depth. Loved it!
Rated 27 Sep 2010
62
41st
so depressing
Rated 21 Sep 2010
70
79th
Nice little fantasy that is somewhat tragic at times. Bridges is excellent and it may be Williams best performance ever. Whoever mentioned Michael Jeter being excellent was dead on.
Rated 10 Sep 2010
64
83rd
#90s(e)#, story, reviews, cast
Rated 28 Mar 2010
5
54th
A movie about literally nothing. George Constanza would be proud.
Rated 09 Feb 2010
84
93rd
A modern New York fairy tale with great performances from Williams and Bridges. Just the right side of sentimental.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
83
56th
Uneven, but Bridges and Williams are both very good here. I believed in them and wished them well in their quest.
Rated 13 Dec 2009
80
80th
The ending is a bit irritating, but the story is awesome and this film is one of Gilliams best. The story of Williams character is just heart breaking.
Rated 31 Oct 2009
30
10th
Mala
Rated 23 Oct 2009
55
20th
Disappointing in most every respect but I managed to make it through without being too pissed about it. I guess it is cause Jeff Bridges is always a joy to watch, and Robin Williams brings some pathos to his performance.
Rated 03 Oct 2009
45
85th
My favourite Terry Gilliam movie. Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges give genuine emotional depth to the fantastic story. I love that Gilliam is able to straddle the line between reality and fantasy with such grace.
Rated 05 Aug 2009
6
95th
Damaged people find damaged people.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
85
84th
This movie grows with its every minute. Saw it at a local festival where it was presented by Terry Gilliam himself. He said he actually wanted to give up directing after Baron Munchhausen, but then he was approached to shoot this script, which eventually started his Hollywood career. Although it surely has the "Gilliam perspective", the original script was never changed (except the idea of people dancing at the station).
Rated 26 Jul 2009
89
86th
this is such a nice film
Rated 23 Jul 2009
82
94th
Kind of buddy movie, but yet kind of not.
Rated 10 Apr 2009
50
67th
Enjoyable more for its director's extravagances than for its attempt at modern myth-making, and finally too diffuse to be taken seriously.
Rated 08 Mar 2009
100
98th
Incredible...
Rated 11 Feb 2009
100
92nd
Terry Gilliam's absolute masterpiece
Rated 25 Dec 2008
79
79th
A touching movie about self-discovery through other people's lives.
Rated 21 Dec 2008
79
57th
Could have been better, got worse in the second half.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
85
65th
I lve Gilliam, and his directing shines in this bizarre movie.
Rated 30 Sep 2008
100
95th
Another of Gilliam's unique contributions to the world. Wunderbar
Rated 16 Sep 2008
50
72nd
forstår ikke rigtigt...
Rated 05 Sep 2008
75
53rd
Not Gilliam's most inspired, but nowhere near his worst.
Rated 21 Jun 2008
90
67th
An awesome movie! Robin Williams is absolutely amazing!
Rated 06 Jun 2008
75
48th
Lydia, Lydia oh have you met Lydia . . . .
Rated 19 May 2008
87
93rd
it's as if a hollywood movie had been spiked with some terry gilliam lemonade. actually it was...a nearly perfect blend of the two, and if fits well with almost every viewer.
Rated 10 May 2008
15
2nd
Unbearable, and deep as a bucket of lard. Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Terry Gilliam, I can tolerate each one in isolation, but only just. The supporting cast is the most annoying in existence. The entire film is ugly and grimy, the humor is bizarre, the plot is preposterous, the characters are insane (literally), and it's way, way too long. Mix it all together and it becomes kryptonite.
Rated 28 Nov 2007
88
58th
Terry Gilliam's brilliant study of madness. Williams best role.
Rated 21 Nov 2007
90
75th
un film di vera poesia.
Rated 21 Nov 2007
20
3rd
Schlocky and dumb. Plus you are forced to see Robin Williams nude.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
80
91st
one of my favorite gilliam films.
Rated 08 Nov 2007
60
25th
Surprisingly weak effort from Gilliam. Too commercialized for me.
Rated 17 Sep 2007
80
89th
flawed but very good fantasy/comedy/drama
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
25th
I had heard about this film a while back, and finally got around to watching it. Apparantly I wasn't missing anything during all the time I kept putting off watching this film. At least we get to see a scene where Robin Williams' wife gets her brains splattered by a pump shottie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Jeff Bridges is outstanding and Robin Williams gives the dramatic performance of his career in this strange tragedy.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
15
11th
Q: Who's more insufferable than Robin Williams? A: Jeff Bridges.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
86th
Terry Gilliam is fantastic, and this is a grat film. This film is not often mentionedwhen you talk about Robin Williams best films, but I think it's one of his best. Jeff Bridges and Mercedes Ruehl have wonderful chemistry together. A very good film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
4
64th
Underated Gilliam flick.
Rated 08 Jul 2007
89
87th
I love New York in June... How bout you?

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